Question
 

Mark,

This comment is written in the platform 11's successes -

The first related to the Phoenix Park tunnel, and perhaps I did not explain myself well. We certainly intend to use the Phoenix Park tunnel in the short term to bring trains from the Kildare-Newbridge area into Spencer Dock because there is a demand for that. - Joe Meagher Iarnród Éireann Chief Executive February 25th 2005

What's the latest on this? Is it going to happen?

The only reason that all came about was because of this
Due to us and no one else the Joint Committee where brought out on a 2700 railcar and taken from Connolly to Heuston, that was a powerful victory and a vindication

Irish Rail conceeded it was doable, which was a total reversal of their position, they had to admit it was possible. It pissed them off no end

While IE have back tracked on it there is a study underway which will force the issue

Thanks for the reply, I was just wondering. The worst thing about the Kildare journey is getting to and from Heuston. Now with Spencer Dock open it seems blantantly obvious to run the train up there as most people go that way on the luas or the bus anyway

Well its actually impossible current

theres no line that runs from heuston to the docklands station

Yeah, after IE's head honcho said they were going to run trains from Kildare to the Docks, they went ahead and built the station wrong ... only in Ireland.

At least not until the Luas point extension opens in another year or so! :-)

RUI and P11 before it have been looking for what Jimbo suggests since day one. Running trains from the bay platforms would be tricky, but having every second Kildare train turn left before the main Heuston station and stop at platform 10, before going through the Pheonix Park tunnel to Docklands. It would require some track changes to make it possible, things aren't connected up as they should be at the moment.

Im a little confused.
Doesnt the line from Heuston not join the Sligo line just before the Midland line to Docklands ?

the branch line from heuston joins the sligo line at glasnevin jct but there is no line that connects branch line with the docklands line

This isn't the forum for technical terms, but at the moment it's equivalent to a road junction that only allows you turn left. It will need a small piece of extra track to make it right.

The real issue is why IE continually refuse to send Kildare trains to Docklands, despite the fact it would significantly reduce congestion on Luas.

A reason for IE refusing to run some Kildare trains to Docklands might be that they are using rolling stock more or less to the maximum at present. Kildare-Docklands-Kildare would take about 20 to 25 minutes more than Kildare-Heuston-Kildare. Multibply that by several daily trips and you might need at least one extra train to cover requirements.

Of course if there are long layovers at Heuston, this excuse would evaporate....

http://maps.google.com/maps/mm?ie=UT...,0.014462&z=16

This map of the area should help out people, follow the two lines and you'll see where they end up, not much work envolved!!!!

Is platform 10 at Heuston used for anything at the moment?

No thank god. It's ½mile walk to the front of the station.

LC

But, that's a moot point since you probably wouldn't get on a train at Heuston going to Docklands - the LUAS would be faster.

IE have no technical issues running trains from Kildare to Connolly and on to TARA st however and in fact RUI made a point that this could easily be done at weekends as there is tons of spare stock and paths but the IE machine is implacably against it [ never figured out why ]

But what about people heading for south of the Liffey? Connolly / Docklands are worse than Heuston in that respect, especially by the time the trundle through the tunnel and via Drumcondra has been made. Hence my comment. No market? Look at use of the 92.....

LC

Platform 1 in Hesuton is not that much nearer.

Nor are plats 6-8.

its more than just a little work i dont want to bore you with technical
things but your talking new signalling /track circuits/axel counters/crossover/ caws/etc aswell. its a whole lot of work im afraid that is why they refuse

Irish Rail where allocated 60 million euro to complete Docklands station

Irish Rail had presented the government with a investment program which clearly stated Kildare Docklands

Total cost of Docklands came to 30 million, no one seems to be able to explain how it cost so much, that leaves 30 million unspent, presumably this 30 million covered the cost of connecting the station up correctly and indeed would fund an extra 4 coach train

Edit

For the record the projected passenger numbers on the Park Tunnel route (with the interconnector in place) are about 1800 each way at peak hours, there are about 360 seats on a 8 coach commuter train, don't tell us there isn't demand for the line